Cheaply Update a Home with New Light Fixtures

Do you want to update your home for sale but don’t want to spend a lot of money?

Do you plan to stay in your home for awhile and want it updated without taking on expensive projects?

Changing the light fixtures with inexpensive lights found online or in big box hardware stores is a good way to make your home feel updated without spending a lot of money. I often send my clients to Menards, Home Depot or Lowes and then arrange for a handyman to install the new lights for my clients.

I recently sold my mom’s villa, and the first thing I told her when she decided to sell was “we need to update the lights.”

We took down all of these brass fixtures plus a ceiling fan that had seen better days. For around $500, we bought new lights to replace them all.

Since the target buyer for this villa was most likely to be a downsizing couple with fairly traditional tastes, we didn’t go with the trendiest lights in the store. Understanding who is likely to buy a property is critical when making choices about updates.

We decided to limit the cost by only updating the lights on the main floor. We left the original lights in the finished basement.

See for yourself the difference the a new ceiling fan can make.

Before & After:

Another couple I recently represented did the same thing. I sent my clients some suggestions for new lights. I even snapped some pictures and texted them over.

Knowing that all of these lights would have a similar impact, they opted to purchase the least expensive light from my suggestions since they were selling.

If they had been staying in the home, they would have picked the one on the right. It was a little more expensive but they liked it better.

They changed out all of the lights except for the foyer light before my photographer came over. So I actually have some before and after pictures to show you.

If you are ready to sell your St. Louis home, the agent you choose really makes a difference.